Copyright NEBRASKAland Magazine/Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, all rights reserved.
BACK in late January and early February when Ole Man Winter relented in favor of a little sunshine and rising temperatures, many of us suffered a premature attack of that perennial menace, Spring Fever. The malady was short-lived, however, as winter struck back with all its savageness. Visions of spring faded away, that is for all of us but Leigh L. Reynolds of Grand Island who submitted his feelings on Spring Fever.
Man on back porch hears sounds of spring cleaning—sees housewife hang rugs on clothesline; watches her lay carpet beater on porch beside him.
Man becomes uneasy; looks at boy with tin can in potato patch. Calls to boy; speaks low for a moment, reaches in pocket and hands boy small coin, taking possession of worms.
Man starts for rear of garage; takes guilty backward glance at house, enters garage, ties cane pole on old jalopy, drives to neighboring pond.
Sees another fellow fishing; calls to him, "How they biting?"
Other fellow reaches into water and holds up string of sunfish. Man smiles, becomes optimistic, locates likely looking spot, baits hook, casts in, sits down and watches bobber dance up and down with wave action of water.
Blue dragon fly appears and alights on bobber. This good luck omen enthuses man.
Ten minutes elapse; nothing happens. Man pulls out hook and examines it, but everything okay. Throws it back in, shifts sitting position to more comfortable one. Lights a cigarette and unbuttons shirt front.
Glances at bobber; sees blue dragon fly return. Bobber starts to move off; man grips pole and gets set. Bobber disappears; man pulls out. Bait gone, hook clean.
Man replaces bail, sets bobber little deeper and tosses back. Watches bobber dance. Eyes become slightly dizzy. Dragon fly returns and circles bobber several times, alights, but has little trouble maintaining foothold.
Man feels quick tug on line; looks for bobber. Bobber out of sight. Quick to react, man pulls out strong and fast. Quick to realize line hung up in Cottonwood limb. Muffled curses released.
Ten minutes later, line recovered. Line intact but bait gone.
Man changes position; puts on fresh worm, spits on it and casts out again.
Sits down, lights cigarette, waits patiently—ego hurt and confidence lost. Small turtle appears near bobber.
Sun gets hotter; man feels drowsy, jabs pole in bank, lies down, covers face with hat, dozes off.
Twenty minutes later, man leaps to feet, brushing and slapping self. Seemed ants became too friendly. Man reaches for pole as bobber disappears. Pulls out line, something on it. Was a friendly little turtle.
Kicks can and bait into lake; returns to car and drives toward town. Enters house and womenfolks give him stoney glare.
Wife asks, "Where the heck have you been all day while Mary and I beat carpets and rugs and cleaned the stove and stovepipes?"
Man can't answer that one without getting in deeper. Goes to front room picking up paper. Glances over pages and says, "I see.where they have a bloody war overseas."
Wife shouts back, "Yeah! And you won't have to go overseas, Big Boy. Just try fishing again before we finish housecleaning!"
THE long awaited opening of Medicine Creek reservoir to fishing became a reality on April 1. The reservoir, with approximately 31 miles of shore line, is the latest addition to Nebraska's fast growing network of reservoirs to be opened to fishing. Enders reservoir, now completed, remains closed at least until 1953.
Medicine Creek reservoir, however, is not the only new impoundment opened or to be opened to fishing this year. Three new lakes—Atkinson, Hull and Smith—all built by the Nebraska Game Commission, will welcome fishermen on July 1. These four new waters enhance Nebraska's recognition as a good fishing state.
Most attention, because of its size, will be cast on Medicine Creek reservoir which is expected to provide some of the best fishing found in southwest Nebraska for the next several years. Since water first began pouring into the large impoundment, approximately 175,000 fish—both adult and fingerlings —have been released by the Game Commission. These fish—affording a diversity of fishing—consisted of walleye, white bass, largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish.
Though the reservoir has been amply stocked with most major species of game fish, Nebraskans are cautioned not to become too optimistic about future fishing in the reservoir. This advice was made on the basis of experience gained from other reservoirs which have been open to fishing for years. If Medicine Creek reservoir was to follow the pattern of most other reservoirs, we could expect to realize a decline in fishing productiveness as years pass.
Medicine Creek reservoir can be expected to provide good fishing for several years because of the favorable conditions which now exist. The water should be fertile as it covers native grassland and vegetation. Aquatic insects will be available. Competition for food with rough fish will be at a minimum for a few years as rough fish will be in the minority.
However, if Medicine Creek does follow the pattern of most other reservoirs, fishing could be expected to decline in years. Tons and tons of silt being carried into the reservoir could cover and kill vegetation. Silt also clouds the water. As insects live and breed on vegetative growth, they would decline in numbers and provide less food for fish.
The fluctuating water level, peculiar to most reservoirs, could play havoc with fishing success. Fish build nests and deposit eggs in shallow portions of lakes. If, while the eggs were deposited in such areas the water level should drop, the eggs would be exposed and consequently lost.
Carp and other rough fish, when once
established, multiply at a terrific rate.
As mentioned before, such a decline, because of the changing conditions, was experienced in the Platte river reservoir system. It is possible that conditions might vary at Medicine Creek reservoir and fishing remain about stable. However, it is too early to predict what will exactly happen.
Medicine Creek reservoir, though somewhat smaller than McConaughy, is still a large body of water as is evidenced by the following figures: Approximately one-half mile wide; irrigation pool in reservoir to have 1,861 surface acres of water; flood pool to have 3,470 surface acres; approximately eight miles long; dam height is 115 feet and dam length is 5,665 feet.
Prior to the April 1 opening, the main recreation grounds at Medicine Creek were completed and ready for use. The area has wells, picnic tables, fire places and parking areas. Trees were planted and within a few years will provide beauty and shade to the area. Graveled roads were built to permit easy travel to and from the area. A sand beach was made available to those who choose to swim at their own risk. Beaches are unsupervised at present.
Boating enthusiasts will find a public boat ramp. About all that is lacking is a concession. And this, too, will be available, possibly by mid-summer. The concession will provide such facilities as prepared meals, boats, outboard motors, fishing tackle and baits.
Though not on as large a scale as Medicine Creek reservoir, the three state-owned lakes to open on July 1 will provide both fishing and picnicking facilities.
Smith lake, approximately 23 miles south of Rushville, is the largest of the three new lakes, having more than 200 surface acres of water. The lake was formerly a natural sand hills lake but was drained by a previous owner.
Upon acquiring the property, the Game Commission built an earthen dam and a concrete spillway. The lake has a maximum depth of about 12 feet. In addition to being a good fishing lake, it has provided good duck and grouse hunting in the past.
A new road is under construction and when completed, will provide easy access to the lake which has been amply stocked with small and largemouth bass, crappie and bluegill.
No. 2 of the new lake group is Atkinson lake, a few miles straight west of Atkinson on the county gravel road (called cemetery road). The Commission constructed a dam approximately 500 feet long, 12 feet high and 20 feet wide at the top. Two spillways were built—one serving in emergencies when water is high. The normal water depth is approximately 12 feet. Deepest spots are about 18 or 20 feet.
The lake, formed by damming the Elkhorn river, is stocked with bluegill, bass, crappie and catfish.
Hull lake, two miles south and one mile west of Butte, is the smallest of
TAKE a gander at the next fish you catch. Study him carefully. Give him a pat on the fin. He's not just any ''old fish," but something special. Chances are that if he could talk our language instead of fish talk, he'd readily admit he was ready to go. He'd probably say he had lived a charmed life. And besides, what was there to go on for? Most of his relatives had long since departed.
He was fortunate to have lived as long as he did as the life of piscatorial members is generally brief and perilous. The odds are really stacked against all fish. Apparently, that's the reason Nature endows fish with the ability to lay so many thousands of eggs. For if she didn't, there would be few fish inhabiting our waters today. It just isn't in the books for the average fish to live to middle age, let alone to a ripe old age. Very few survive long enough to become ancient and feeble.
Mr. Fish, our waters' most popular boarder, is confronted with every conceivable peril and obstacle. His experience as an egg, then hatching and resultant life is in constant jeopardy. His breath of life can be snuffed out so easily and in so many different ways.
Naturally hatched fish have their troubles and woes— many of them. But—so do the artificially propagated and more cultured fish. They went to college—I mean to a hatchery. These more fortunate and carefully nursed fish are subjects of this tribute. They struggled constantly against overwhelming odds in an attempt to become a part of an angler's creel. Every such fish is worthy of recognition and tribute. Bestow them upon these fish.
Let's travel to North Platte where the Nebraska Game Commission maintains one of the largest and most modern walleye hatcheries in the United States. Here millions of walleyes experience their first breath of life. And here, too, great numbers succumb to the early dangers of piscatorial life.
It is spring and the 40 one-acre ponds eagerly await the influx of teeming thousands of walleye fry. These aquatic infants must have hatched under a lucky star as they are the remnants of a group much larger in size than the present lot. Prior to their release in the ponds, these innocent and almost hapless fry were really "put on the pan."
On an exchange agreement with another conservation department, the Game Commission receives annual shipments of walleye eggs in carefully packed and constructed shipping cartons. Accidental rough handling and premature hatching while enroute to Nebraska generally destroy a number of the eggs. The "dead" eggs were segregated from the "live" eggs upon arrival at the hatchery. The "dead" eggs were a dull white in color.
The "live" eggs were placed in special hatching jars and remained there until hatched. Sounds simple, doesn't it? It would seem that the apparent security provided by the jars would assure survival. But it didn't. An uncontrolled and marked fluctuation in the temperature of the water running through the hatching jars recklessly stole many lives. An unnoticed plugged water pipe of but a few minutes' duration seized others. Parasites and disease took their greedy toll. A slight jarring killed more. Walleye eggs, like most other fish eggs, are extremely sensitive in their early days of existence and are easily killed as a result of bumping or jarring.
Weeded down by the thousands, the remaining "stronger" fry were transferred to the holding ponds in groups of one hundred thousand per one-acre pond. There the troubles multiplied and were almost as plentiful as walleye fry. Exposure to bird and insect life was Mr. Trouble himself. Such fish hungry birds as terns, ducks and kingfishers, and aquatic occupants such as the tiger beetle and other species of beetles, and crayfish nibbled away on the unwary fry. These menaces dwindled the fry population considerably.
Some fry developed faster than others. The slower growing walleyes were at the mercy of the "big boys." Walleyes are naturally cannibalistic and feast one upon the other. They aren't angry at one another, but just don't like to pass up the chance to enjoy "fish" for dinner. On several occasions at the hatchery, that greed proved costly. A number of the "big boys" paid with their lives. They tried swallowing smaller fish, but these became lodged in their mouths and caused death.
The ever present parasites and numerous fish diseases tried their darnest to make things tough for the fry. And—they often succeeded. A disease, unnoticed in its early stage, can wipe out the entire pond population. The parasites often gain entry into the ponds by being dropped from passing birds.
After escaping all of these hazards—how I wouldn't
venture to guess—the walleyes reached fingerling size.
They were large enough to be stocked in fishing waters.
The walleye fingerlings still necessitated kind handling
and a few perished while being loaded into the tank
trucks. Some fingerlings, while the pond was being
drained, became entangled in moss and died for lack
of water as the pond bottom dried. Some passed out of
Enroute to their new home in the water underworld, the fish were at the mercy of the aeration system of the tank truck. A mechanical failure could have meant the end for all. Air blowers continuously forced necessary oxygen into the water. Oxygen is just as essential for the survival of fish as it is for you and me.
Upon arrival at destination "home," the life of fish was again seriously endangered. Fisheries personnel tested the temperature of the water in both the tank truck and the pond. The temperature had to be identical or almost similar. A variation of more than a few degrees could have resulted in a quick and all-inclusive death.
Transferred to the pond, life didn't begin anew. It merely continued with even more dangerous obstacles ahead. For the first time in their life, the fish were on their own. There was no guardian to care for them. They had to look out for themselves. They had to adapt themselves to the new and strange surroundings. If they wanted to eat, they had to seek their own food. They had to stay out of the way of fish hungry birds. They had to ward off parasites and withstand disease. Their life lasted just about as long as they remained cautious.
The battle of the "survival of the fittest" was evident. A fish couldn't trust anyone. He had to be alert not only of his walleye brothers, but also of every cannibalistic fish, such as the trout or ravenous northern pike. These other fish were much larger in size and experienced in battle.
The new home had to have ample food. Infant fish fed on plant and animal plankton. When such food was scarce and fish too numerous, the weaklings had to do without. The pond had to be safe from "freezing out." It had to be free from constant flooding and its devastating silt.
After withstanding every such challenge and condition, fish became careless and overconfident, often falling victim to any angler's strange but appealing lure. One precarious jab at the lure and that's the end. Pulled ashore and stretched out on the dry bank, the fish realized the end was approaching. His gills tired in action. His fins faltered. Finally—there was no movement. His life had ended. It was a hard life, but a comparatively long one. He probably had but one regret—he didn't live the life of a dog.
The writer of this column has been a resident of Nebraska all his life, and we can honestly say we never expected to see the day when there would be:
1. An open season on quail, prairie chicken, and deer in the state of Nebraska, or 2. Raccoon, Opossum and beaver scampering up and down Nebraska's creeks.
Yet that is exactly what is happening right here before our eyes this very year. We want to be among those who salute the Game Commission for doing a remarkable job of game preparation in Nebraska, right in the face of the fact that more people are pulling triggers than ever before in the history of the state.
We always thought deer would never stay in Nebraska, that the prairie chicken and quail were extinct, because lots of people told us that was so, and we believed it. We presume that thousands of people told the Game Commission the same thing. But they didn't believe it, and the sportsmen of Nebraska are profiting thereby. It's true the stocks of quail and chicken, or deer are not so heavy—but they are growing and that is encouraging.
There are precious few good words said in favor of the Game Commission, or its representative, the game warden. We feel they all have done an outstanding, good job and deserve to be told so, not only by us but by the people who read this.
The Nebraska Game Commission takes pride in presenting this—the first issue of the NEW "OUTDOOR NEBRASKA"—to you and other subscribers and readers at the identical subscription and single copy price as previous issues. Though this issue is vastly improved over previous copies, the department is able to distribute the magazine at unchanged costs, due largely to the 351 per cent increase in subscriptions received in 1951 over those recorded in '50.
Beginning with this issue and all subsequent issues, NEW "OUTDOOR NEBRASKA" has and will continue having full-color cover pictures, twocolor Fauna pictures, larger page size, better quality paper and greater diversity of stories.
As it is the intention of the Game Commission to continually improve the magazine, your suggestions and criticisms are solicited. Write to the Editor, NEW "OUTDOOR NEBRASKA," State House, Lincoln, listing your comments and suggestions.
CHEYENNE county's wildlife population became more diversified as of February of this year when the Nebraska Game Commission began its experimental planting of Hungarian partridges in that county. Cheyenne county was selected to serve as the "testing grounds" because of its climatological. topographical and land use similarity with that of the Alberta province in Canada from where the partridges were obtained.
Within 24 hours after leaving Calgary, Alberta, shipments of Hungarian partridges were received in Nebraska and released in Cheyenne county. The birds were transported by air from Calgary to Cheyenne, Wyo., and by auto to Cheyenne county for distribution.
The Nebraska Game Commission earlier completed arrangements with the Alberta Fish and Game association to provide this state with partridges. The Alberta department had a permit from the provincial government to trap a given number of these birds. The department in turn issued permits to individual trappers to secure the desired number of partridges. At one time during the trapping operations, 25 trappers were active.
After succeeding in trapping eight or ten birds, the trappers expressed the partridges to Calgary, Alberta, where they were held in holding pens until a sufficient number were available for shipment to this state. The partridges were transported in padded turkey crates, eliminating chances of injury.
Wade Hamor represented the Nebraska Game Commission in Calgary during the trapping project. In addition to supervising the arrangements on behalf of the Game Commission, Hamor acquired much valuable experience and information regarding habits and other characteristics of the partridge.
During one particular week at Calgary, Hamor reported that the temperature dropped down to a frigid 31 degrees below zero. Within one day, however, it rose 40 degrees. This change in weather accelerated trapping activities. All birds in the early shipments were taken during a three-day period following the sub-zero weather. During the extremely frigid weather, the partridges were inactive — neither feeding nor moving about.
Most birds taken in Alberta were trapped as singles or pairs. Partridges tend to split up during the favorable weather and congregate in coveys during periods of extreme weather.
Most Canadians consider the hungarian partridge as one of their finest game birds. Partridges are very fast on the flush, but unlike the quail, they will flush as a covey and remain as a covey while in flight.
Most tortoises found in Nebraska are edible, including the snapping turtle, mud turtle, Blanding's turtle, leatherback or soft shelled turtle and painted terrapin turtle.
The horned toad is not a toad, but a lizard. It doesn't lay eggs, but gives birth to living young.
The porcupine is a rodent—second largest in the United States. The largest rodent is the beaver.
As the porcupine is a vegetarian, it does not prey on a single living creature. It is, however, often attacked and eaten by both small and large predators.
TWAS duck banding time at Leshara during late December, January and most of February for personnel of the Nebraska Game Commission's waterfowl investigations staff. Here wintering ducks were trapped and banded in an effort to obtain information of present and future importance.
Leshara, incidentally, is situated about six miles south and five miles east of Fremont in Saunders county. Near here—on the Harold Feist farm— was located the Game Commission's eastern Nebraska duck banding station.
Nebraska's east border is the arbitrary boundary between the Central and Mississippi flyways. One of the objectives of the program is to determine whether the resident wintering ducks at Leshara breed and migrate in the Mississippi or Central flyway. This information will be learned at a later date when bands are returned.
Much information on migratory habits will be acquired in addition to records on wintering sex ratios and ages.
Manned by Jim McCole and assisted occasionally by Warden Vernon Woodgate, the Leshara station accounted for the trapping and banding of more than 2,000 ducks. This was the first year of operation for the Leshara station.
On Dec. 30, Game Commission personnel—under the direction of Harvey Miller who is in charge of all banding operations in the state—installed several duck traps at choice spots on the warm water stream ambling through the Feist farm. The traps were of two different types of construction.
Some of the traps were patterned after the "Ogallala style," being in one section, square and set in shallow water about six inches deep. These traps have tapered funnels through which the ducks enter in pursuit of the bait which is scattered under the surface of the water. All bait used at Leshara was shelled corn.
The other traps were patterned after the "Colorado style" trap, also called "ramp style" trap. These traps consisted of two sections—one on the creek bank and the other in the water. Three tapered openings permit entry of the ducks to the bait scattered on the ground. After feeding, the ducks—at-tracted by water—pass across a ramp and enter the water section of the trap.
Very little injury is suffered by the entrapped ducks as the bulk of the trap consists of chicken wire and the ducks merely bounce off the wire after flying against it.
The traps are run at regular intervals.
There are access openings through
which the ducks are transferred from
the traps into the banding box. They
As each bird is banded, the species of the duck, its sex and its age are recorded.
After the banding is completed and the information forwarded to the Fish and Wildlife service, the next step in the assignment is entrusted to sportsmen throughout the land. Hunters shooting or finding banded birds are urged to send the bands and information as to where the bird was shot and when shot to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service, Washington, 25 D.C.
That office will in turn write to the cooperating sportsman—sending a copy of the letter to the Game Commission in the event the duck was banded or recovered in Nebraska—indicating where the bird was banded, when banded and by whom banded. The actual bands are returned to the finder upon request.
Ducks banded at other Nebraska stations in recent years have been taken as far south as Columbia and Ecuador, So. America, as far west as Washington state and as far east as New York and Maryland. This information is available only because bands were sent to the Fish and Wildlife service office and the information then distributed to all concerned.
Almost 1,400 ducks were banded during the first month of operations at Leshara. The trapping and banding there revealed considerable information. Approximately 99 per cent of all ducks were mallards. And—this flock of wintering mallards was predominantly males. This sex ratio corresponds with the normal habit of mallards—females and ducklings migrating south earlier than the males and consequently being further south when winter strikes. Thus—more males in the north.
One of the banded ducks was a mallard-black hybrid, a cross between a mallard and a black duck. Five were pintails, one a baldpate and two were black ducks. All others were mallards.
It is interesting to note that black ducks are uncommon visitors to Nebraska and other Central flyway states. Black ducks are way out of bounds when in this area as they are peculiar to the Atlantic flyway states.
During the trapping operations, it was found that five ducks were previously banded at other stations. Correspondence to date reveals that one of the ducks was trapped and banded at Havannah, 111.
The stay in the traps is apparently of little concern to some of the ducks. On several occasions, ducks released several weeks previous or just on the day before were found in the traps again. These birds were released and the information recorded. A return to the traps indicates the length of individual stay of the ducks in that particular vicinity.
The free meal of shelled corn undoubtedly is quite attractive. During past banding activities at the Ogallala station, one mallard was trapped on 30 different occasions.
Once in a while, a duck will be trapped which has but one leg. Surprisingly, in most instances, the missing leg was not due to shooting. Ducks are from the north where muskrat traps are numerous. It appears that most of the one-legged ducks stepped into such traps—and consequently, lost a leg.
Predators cause some confusion at the trapping and banding grounds. Two of the major agitators are the raccoon and owl. Raccoon will often enter the trap and kill all ducks if not apprehended immediately. Owls are not quite as eager, being content with sitting on the wire of the trap. This excites the duck, causing it to fly against the top. As it does this, the owl reaches through the wire and grabs the duck.
The Leshara station has been most successful in trapping ducks during periods of severe weather when snow covers the ground and the food supply is low. And—as ducks feed during the day and return to the area at night— the late evening and early morning hours provide the most success.
Other banding stations are operated by the Game Commission during the spring migration at North Platte and Ogallala and during the period of premigration concentrations in the fall at Spring lake near Gordon. In addition, young ducklings are banded before they can fly by chasing them from the water and picking them from their hiding places in the surrounding grass. This is carried out throughout the nesting area which consists primarily of Nebraska's unique sand hills. The growth of the young duckling is so rapid that at the end of three weeks, he is capable of wearing a band designed to fit adults.
Nearly 7,000 bands have been placed on ducks in Nebraska in an attempt to secure the facts which will determine Nebraska's place in the production, harvest and preservation of waterfowl. The information supplied by the band recoveries is necessary in a migratory species. As an example, without bands, we would not know with certainty whether or not the mallards we raise in the sand hills were the same ones that winter on the Platte river.
With bands and their recoveries, we
know that the Nebraska raised mallard
will be in Arkansas, Texas or vicinity
Several other activities by Game Commission personnel show Nebraska's place in the waterfowl picture.
Extensive aerial and ground surveys are made to determine the trend of both the wintering and breeding population. These surveys are made on routes criss-crossing the population areas in the same manner and at the same time each year to show the "ups and down" in numbers present, the species and sex composition, and the condition of the ducks there.
Surveys are made to show production and its correlation with the breeding population, its comparison with previous years and the species producing young.
During the hunting season, a check is made at dressing stations in Ogallala and Lewellen to learn the species composition, sex and age ratios, and condition of the kill.
All of this information is sent to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service to be summarized and compared with that of the states and the Canadian Provinces comprising the respective flyways. From this overall picture, the hunting regulations are determined—along with other management procedures.
It is known that 40 to 45 per cent of Nebraska's production is of the blue-winged teal species while 60 to 80 per cent of its harvest is mallard. Nearly half again as many males are killed as females. Five out of seven ducks killed are young birds produced during the same year as killed. About five months of the mallard's year is spent in migrating and concentrating for the migration. He is at home only about seven months of the year.
These and many other facts related to management of waterfowl are gathered through the activities of the Waterfowl Investigations project.
And you—as sportsmen—play a vital role in all waterfowl programs. If you shoot or recover a banded duck—be sure and send it at once to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service, Washington, 25, D.C.
There appears to be no particular mating season for bobcats. The young may be born at any time of the year. Average litter is two to four kittens.
LET'S take a look at the Mail Bag and some of the many questions contained therein. The following questions are typical of the hundreds of such letters received monthly at the Game Commission office:
AMELIA—I've caught bullheads that look healthy, but after they are dressed, one can see tiny white specks in the flesh which I have been told are worms. Are these worms or not? I don't believe these fish are fit to eat and have never eaten them.
(From your description it appears that the bullheads you caught were infected with the yellow grub. This is very common to bullheads. They of course do not look good, but they are not harmful even though eaten. Any bullheads you catch from now on should be cleaned thoroughly and these spots removed. We have checked this carefully with the university and other sources and have found they are not harmful to man.)
WEST POINT—I would like to know how long a bullhead can get, how long they live and how much they weigh at full growth?
(There are two species of bullheads in Nebraska—the northern black bullhead and the yellow bullhead. The black bullhead does not get as large as the yellow, the average being from 6 to 10 inches in length and never exceeding 15 inches. The yellow bullhead sometimes gets to 18 inches in size under favorable conditions. We have no definite information as to how long bullheads will live. This is dependent
In the springtime our thoughts naturally turn to the great out-of-doors, and of course to fishing. This tale may sound like one of the usual "tall ones," which are so abundant during fishing season, but it is a true story about a giant trout that was "caught" in Nebraska not so many years ago. The story is short, but the trout itself is long. Although not strictly a trout, our heroic fish, Portheus molossus, the "bulldog tarpon," is closely related to the trout, salmon and herring.
If you are not satisfied with ordinary trout fishing in our beautiful Nebraska lakes and streams, perhaps you are planning on going south for bigger fish, the tarpon. If that is the case, you are leaving behind in Nebraska much bigger and better ones than swim in the Gulf today. If a tarpon six to seven feet long ranks as one of the gamest fighters of all fish, our Nebraska tarpon, which was twice as large, may have been many times as gamey. We shall never know because the Nebraska forms have been extinct at least sixty million years. Of course, there were no people to fish for the giants of those days, but there were great sea serpents or lizards to take the daily limit. Nebraska was covered by a shallow tropical sea when our tarpon lived. At any rate, it is predictable that when caught by a giant marine reptile, a fight ensued.
The last tarpon we caught was along the Republican river in the chalk banks southwest of Franklin, Nebraska. It took a steam road grader and a tractor to "land" him. As evidence of the adventure, the fish is mounted in the University of Nebraska State Museum in Morrill Hall, with one of the great sea serpents Tylosaurus, which was its natural enemy.
In fishing for Nebraska tarpon, the disappointing feature is that you "catch" many more dissevered heads than bodies, but when you do get a whole one it may be ten, twelve, or even fifteen feet long. When you exultantly hang this royal trophy in your dining room, remember it will cover one entire wall. The reason that so many dissevered heads occur is that the giant sea serpent, Tylosaurus, which was 35 feet long, is supposed to have shaken the tarpon heads off before eating the body. There is a parallel in the long snouted crocodile or gavial of today, which does the same thing before swallowing fish.
The ''old Cretaceous fishing hole" near Franklin was first discovered by men working on the road. The scrapers and bulldozers uncovered a bed of large bones imbedded in the Niobrara chalk rock (Cretaceous age). The University of Nebraska State Museum was notified of the discovery and a field party was dispatched from Lincoln to "reel in" this big fish and the other ones associated with it. Recently, some large Cretaceous fish also were discovered in the core trench of the Harlan County Dam. These finds also were reported to the Museum by the employees of the Army Engineers and the Harlan Construction Co., and the specimens were preserved for the citizens of the state.
It is very properly interjected that the broad prairies of Nebraska and Kansas, which are frigid in winter and sunburned in summer, are not likely places for the propagation of schools of giant fish. It must be remembered, however, that when the Niobrara chalk was deposited over the Great Plain, a shallow inland tropical sea extended from Southern Mexico across the United States and Canada to the Arctic Ocean, bisecting the continent. Its waters teemed with all manner of oyster banks, big fish and contemporary creatures. Here our giant bulldog, tarpon, Portheus, the subject of our story, swam, fought and died, and the chalk beds became its cemetery.
By the time this story is printed in OUTDOOR NEBRASKA the fishing season will be far enough along so that your fish stories will make our big Nebraska tarpon look like one of the "small ones" that got away.
ABOUT FISH—Most fish have four pair of gills . . . the scales found on a fish are formed of a bone-like material and are contained in pockets in the skin of the fish ... no fish in Nebraska is a live-bearer . . . the carp is the state's most prolific fish . . . fish have no eyelids . . . the ear of a fish is internal—imbedded in the skull—and is used as a balancing organ and to detect vibration.
The slimy substance on a fish is a protective coating and helps prevent bacteria and disease from attacking the fish (This is good reason why anglers should be careful in handling undersized fish which are to be returned to the water) . . . the internal structure of a fish is quite similar to animals in many respects . . . catfish will hold their eggs rather than release them if water temperature is not high enough.
GREYHOUNDS are generally known for their swiftness and racing ability. And—they are also quite adept in coyote hunting. This latter is a proven fact when study is given to the amazing results enjoyed by a group of farmer-sportsmen from Pawnee and surrounding counties who have been hunting coyotes in this fashion since 1936. Their total kill since mid-October of last year has already surpassed the 140 mark.
Not a novice sport, this type of coyote hunting not only provides thrilling sport for the participants, but also great action-packed entertainment for the bystanders. Whenever a hunt is in progress, you are almost certain to find the roads congested with interested spectators. During one recent hunt, the road was so cluttered with cars that hunting was actually impaired. The crowd was conservatively estimated at 200.
Coyote hunting is practiced with frequency, especially by this particular group of southeasterners who hunt as often as three and four times per week, beginning in mid-morning and quitting at about five in the afternoon. Their season on coyotes usually gets under way in October and runs through the first of April when a temporary cessation of hunting is declared.
This type of hunting differs somewhat from most other kinds of hunting experienced in the state. The chief weapon is a set of highly spirited greyhounds or staghounds or a cross between the two species. Only on rare occasions has a gun been used to kill a coyote.
Lester and Raymond Gottula, both of Elk Creek, initiated the "greyhound chase coyote type of hunt" for this group of sportsmen. The Gottula's had several greyhounds which they used in hunting jacks. They heard about others using greyhounds in hunting coyotes and decided to give it a try. They met with almost immediate success and soon were joined by a number of other enthusiasts.
Training of the dogs begin at the time when they pass the one-year-old mark. They "grow up" with the older dogs, being allowed to run with the others while in actual pursuit of coyotes. They have been found to be "at their best" when three or four years of age. When they reach six, they are usually too slow and are consequently "weeded out" of the sets.
From years of experience, this group of southeastern Nebraska hunters have found that a dog cross-bred from a greyhound and a staghound is the most capable in the coyote chases. All three —greyhounds, staghounds and the cross breeds are used in the hunts.
Let's trail along with Raymond Gottula and the gang on a typical hunt. The group generally consists of Gottula; Frank and Carl Schultz of Steinauer; Lester and Eugene Gottula, Elmer Geweke, all of Elk Creek; Raymond Lintz of Tecumseh, and Fred Rohlmeyer, Glen Steiner, Dean Bokwalter and Orval Jones, all of Sommerfield. Bokwalter flies an airplane to spot coyotes and guide the hunters.
After previous arrangements have been made for the hunt—and they are often made on the spur of a moment— the group meets in force at a specified location in either Pawnee, Gage or Johnson counties. They arrive in jeeps and trucks equipped with special boxes and trap doors, permitting quick release of the dogs. The dogs are released in sets of three or four dogs each. The group has approximately 40 dogs in all, 30 of which are experienced with the remainder consisting of pupils in training.
After the pilot reaches the rendezvous point and receives a signal that all is ready, he begins his search from the air for coyotes, always remaining within a reasonable distance of the group on the ground. Upon spotting a coyote, he signals the group with a "dip of the left wing." He then circles the area, flying with the left wing downward.
Seeing the signal, the group moves
into action. Arriving at the area, the
first set of dogs is released and the pursuit
When possible, the group follows behind in the jeeps and trucks. The first set of dogs continue the chase until they appear to be tiring and begin lagging behind. This is the signal for the release of another set. This continues until the coyote either collapses from exhaustion or is overtaken by the fresh set of dogs. The killing of the coyote is quick and easy. The first set of dogs catch the coyote and kill it about 50 per cent of the time.
The endurance of some coyotes can be evidenced by a recent hunt when four sets of the fleet-footed dogs—used alternately—were needed before finally overtaking the animal. Then there is the other extreme when a coyote was killed after running but 40 rods. Usually, the set of dogs consists of two runners and two killers or "throat" dogs. The runners overtake the coyote and the fighters do the killing.
Just like all other types of hunting, there are days and times of the day when hunting is most productive. The most perfect hunting prevails when snow covers the ground, permitting easier tracking of the coyote. Days when a clear sky and bright sun prevails are also "good hunting days" as coyotes are then usually sunning themselves. The group of hunters found the best time of the day to be between three and five in the afternoon—an active period for coyotes.
Though coyotes are apt to be seen most anywhere, they are generally found along lagoons and in timber and prairie grass. One coyote, incidentally, was seen along the highway a mile and a half north of Lincoln.
Upon examining the stomachs of a number of coyotes, Gottula and his group found that field mice and gophers constituted the bulk of the food.
Realizing the importance of a certain number of coyotes, this group of hunters never hunts an area where coyotes are scarce nor does it overhunt any one area. During the mating period in spring, the group tries to avoid killing females.
Considerable success has been experienced in taking all or most coyotes "kicked up." During one hunt, seven coyotes were spotted and pursued by the dogs. Five were overtaken.
On eight occasions this year, six coyotes were taken on each hunting trip. The top kill in one day was 12 coyotes. Thirty-two were taken in one week.
This group of hunters engage in this activity primarily for the sport. The green scalps are not divided up but are given to the pilot to help reimburse him for the fuel and other operating expenses of the airplane. A green coyote scalp carries a $2.50 bounty payable by the county clerk's office in which county the coyote was killed.
Probably the outstanding achievement of which the group is most proud is the taking of at least one coyote in each hunt.
—Posing in front of the airplane which guided the day's activities are several hunters, their dogs and coyote "take" for the day. The top single day kill was 12 coyotes. The group has never experienced a "skunking," having taken at least one coyote on every hunting trip.
(Editor's note: There are no laws or regulations in Nebraska protecting coyotes and they can thus be taken at anytime and in any way.)
upon a number of conditions, such as the type of water they are in and their available food supply.)
DAVENPORT — Having fished the rivers and lakes all around here, I have run across a great many ideas and notions of fishermen all over. The biggest topic of debate was using oils in bait such as oil of anise, coconut oil and so on. I never did know the straight of this. Will you please tell me what is legal and what isn't?
(It is legal to use anise oils in fish bait or any other oils or scents to attract fish as long as they are not poisonous to fish.)
LINCOLN—I am planning a fishing trip on the river soon and would like to know if I am trespassing if I float down the river, go ashore and fish from the bank on privately-owned property.
(In the case of a river which passes through privately-owned property, you would be considered trespassing if you either anchored your boat or went ashore without previously receiving permission from the land owner. You would not be guilty of trespassing, however, if you remained in your boat and permitted it to float down the river while passing through privately-owned property.)
STAPLETON—Are all boats required to have a license? Also, where are mufflers or silencers obtained for outboard motors?
(Boats which are used for private purposes only and not operated commercially do not need to be licensed. As for the mufflers or silencing devices which are now required on outboard motors, we wish to advise you that unless your motor has been altered by you or someone else, it undoubtedly has an underwater exhaust which is entirely satisfactory. There are some instances where individuals have removed
MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT: Thread (previously waxed), deer hair (both white and black or any other contrasting color if desired), hook, fly head cement, scissors and vice.
(Art Hotz, author of this article, is an experienced bass angler who has fished for this species in Nebraska and several other states. Hotz has consented to pass on to OUTDOOR NEBRASKA readers a few "tricks of the trade which have made him the successful fisherman he is today.)
BASS, especially largemouths, are cowards—ferocious cowards — hiding around logs, tree stumps, holes, barrels and anything else they feel will conceal them from prey. They are greedy and almost without fail, will hide and then strike with such lightning force that they leave the fisherman in a bewildered condition. These are typical Nebraska bass in either our sand pits or our beautiful natural lakes during June, August, October, or any month between. Good bass fishing has been experienced as early as March and as late as November, the weather being the determining factor.
I wish to clarify myself before I go further, inasmuch as every "died in the wool" bass fisherman has his own pet plug or fly rod lure and ideas about Mr. Bass. I do not wish to contradict or degrade anyone's ideas or methods of taking this unpredictable fish, but merely pass on what has been successful at times for me. I am going to write in terms of the fellow fisherman who would like to do battle with bass, but heretofore, has not been too successful. Possibly he can gain some information which will be productive to him.
Mr. Bass can be taken as easily on the fly rod as on the casting rod. He can be taken as successfully on artificial as on live bait—in my opinion. He is just plain happy to strike any lure put in the right place and properly maneuvered.
Spring fishing is just around the corner. I refer back to the start of this note—Mr. Bass must be fished for in places where he most likely is. You can be reasonably sure that you will usually find him in the shallows of the lake— near the surface in spring and early summer. I have found it productive to have a rod that has lost a guide or two, study the lake shore before beginning or even have the wrong combination of to fish, searching for likely spots where bass may be found, such as sunken logs, moss beds and tree roots. I keep a mental picture of these "likely spots" and fish each as time and success permits.
The tackle must be right. It is no fun
to have a line that kinks, tangles or
frays; have a reel that is unpredictable;
rod and reel. My first experience with
buying fishing tackle resulted in an
8V2-foot fly rod, bait casting reel, 18-pound test line and several large %-ounce
plugs. Imagine my embarassment until a dear friend told me what
was wrong. I almost gave up the sport
because it was next to impossible to
make such a combination work. I urge
To tell you a certain length or weight rod is a "must" would be ridiculous. I have friends who use light rods with light tackle and others who use heavy rods with all tackle and all have experienced considerable success.
I believe no fishing beats "popping for bass" as here you can enjoy the best sport fishing with a minimum of effort. All those dreary winter nights can be spent in making new poppers and other bugs for spring and summer fishing. It is truly a year-around sport.
Fishing with poppers, hair bugs or whatever you may have, can be simple if you remember a couple of important factors—one of which is the cast itself. I do not believe in long casts; as a matter of fact, I use a short cast and concentrate on accuracy. Cast the bug or lure as near as possible to the selected spot where the bass are believed to be. I would not discourage the long cast, but merely wish to point out that with a little practice, you can achieve accuracy by making short casts.
I try to avoid line shadow in the water by using 6 to 8-foot leaders of 4, 6 or 8-pound test which extend the bug past the end of the line. These shadows can be very troublesome as Mr. Bass is quite skittish. I do not use a tapered line for bass bugging as a level line is quite sufficient. I also try to avoid casting any other shadows, either by myself, the rod or even the boat. Try to keep the bass from thinking there is anything but a luscious bug on the surface.
All kinds, shapes and sizes of bugs have been used, and surprisingly, most succeed in luring bass. I do try to keep my bugs resembling the size and color of the natural bug. My favorite color is black. On real sunshiny days, however, I use a lighter colored lure, particularly yellow
The true concept of the bass bug as I fish it, is to create the same action— as nearly as possible—as a real bug. Fish them slow. I believe here is where most fly rod enthusiasts loose out in that they figure the popping bug must be worked to create as great a disturbance on the surface as possible. However, a little patience and slow working of the bug will produce an increasing number of strikes.
I can not forget my experiences with hair frogs, a manufactured lure. I believe I worked them every possible way while fishing in Bellwood lakes at Bellwood. I was fishing with the hair frog and decided to smoke, casting the frog beside a cluster of moss on the surface. I then put the rod down, lighted the cigarette, stretched, picked up the rod, moved the hair frog a tiny bit and got an immediate strike. I landed a four and one-half pounder. That day, I took several bass—all three pounds or over and each time I caught one, I was barely moving the lure.
At Fremont, one year later, the same was true. I experienced almost identical success. I consider this lure a fishing treasure as it is the only lure with which I have had consistent success. This method of fishing the hair frog has proven to work equally as well when applied to most surface water fly rod lures. I wish to emphasize again: Work them slow. When you think you have really slowed down, then slow down a bit more.
Some bugs are designed, however, to imitate injured minnows. These, too, I work slowly, but I move them several inches across the water at a time. Allow them to sit still and continue the same over and over again. Use a stop-an-go action—but slow.
I've had considerable success using a hula popper. Here again is a different kind of lure. It has a rubber skirt on the back of the cork body. I work this lure slowly and let the skirts sink after allowing the popper to stop. This lure is a terrific "first hitter." You'll get many strikes in the initial cast if you allow the skirts to sink before making the first movement of the lure on the water. This killing action on bass with this lure has provided me with almost a thousand bass to date.
I've rambled here about top water lures. Flies work equally well, however, under the surface. A Colorado spinner with pork rind is hard to beat. Here, too, the action of the lure must be slow, with a rhythmic action. The type of flies to use depends upon the time of the year. In early spring and summer, I use nymph-type flies, gradually making the fly larger as the summer approaches. I like to take guinea chicken feathers or barred rock chicken feathers and simply tie a loose hackle around the hook. They are real producers.
Although it is a real thrill to catch bass under the surface, there is a certain heart thumper as a bass strikes on the surface. After the water temperature reaches about 58°, you can usually catch as many on top as you can under the surface. There are the usual exceptions, however.
It would not be fair to avoid mentioning the fly rod-crawdad combination. Here tackle is busted up when crawfish are worked properly. A couple of important things to remember in such fishing are to allow plenty of line to run out after you get the strike. Mr. Bass will stop, turn the crawdad around in his mouth, and take off again. Then is the time to set the hook. The other factor is to use a soft-shelled crawfish. This can mean the difference of a day's catch or nothing at all.
A book could be written on Mr. Bass but still you will experience days when this fish won't respond to any bait or lure. However, I am listing below a few things to remember, which incidentally, have helped me increase my bass take tremendously and might help you accordingly:
1. When threading your fly rod, do not put your line through the real small ring at the handle of the fly rod. It is a hook keeper.
2. Avoid water proofing your line a couple of feet from the end. This allows it to sink and you will not get a riffle from the knot on top of the water.
3. Use soft shelled crawfish.
4. Always keep rod tip near the surface of the water to allow plenty of arm movement in setting the hook.
5. Try short casts and accuracy with your bug.
6. Treat your hair bugs in solution of five parts carbon tetrachloride and one part paraffin. This keeps them dry and buoyant for a full day.
7. Work your bug very slow on the surface of the water.
8. Never use less than 6-foot leader.
9. Do not tie bug on end of leader with bulky knot. I use a figure eight knot with half hitch.
10. Cast back to the same spot several times. I have taken eight bass at times from one log or moss and lots of doubles.
11. Late evening fishing usually proves fruitful.
12. In sand pits, watch the points and sharp bends in the lake shore and any moss or limbs, and other likely spots. Mr. Bass is a coward and rarely does he strike when laying in clear open water.
Chief identifying characteristics of the white-tailed deer are its antlers and white tail. The antlers have a basal "snag," and each beam bends back slightly, then sweeps forward, with the individual tines or points emerging from a single beam. Its tail, when excited or frightened, is erected and is white in color.
UNFAVORABLE weather throughout most of the better fishing months of the past year failed miserably in its attempt to harness Nebraska anglers. The year 1951 produced terrific white bass fishing at McConaughy, wonderful walleye angling at Maloney and "the best crappie and bullhead fishing in years" in western Nebraska waters.
In 1949, Claude Whitcomb of Chadron pulled in a 10-pound walleye, establishing a new state record expected to stand for years. The record, however, failed to withstand repeated challenges, finally falling by the wayside in early '51. It didn't even rate an "also ran" upon conclusion of last year's fishing activities.
Time after time, the record was toppled. First it was the 10-pound, 5-ounce walleye taken by H. C. Stancliff of North Platte in Maloney. This was followed by the 10-pound, 12-ounce "marbleye" hooked by Fred Rutt of McCook in Johnson lake. General Miltonberger of North Platte was next in line, pulling ashore an 11-pound, 1-ouncer in Maloney.
The granddaddy of them all, however, was pulled in by John Stensvaad, also of North Platte. Fishing in Maloney, Nebraska's fishing Utopia in late spring and early summer, Stensvaad "tied in" with an 11-pound, 5-ounce walleye. Stensvaad used a bucktail spinner as the producing lure. Maloney, Johnson lake and McConaughy reservoir all provided Nebraska anglers with walleye "heavyweights."
Popular Maloney lake not only produced spectacular walleye fishing, but also provided its anglers with good fishing for largemouth bass, rainbow trout and white bass. During one week's activities, the following big fish were reported taken: 10-pound, 5-ounce walleye; 19-pound, 6-ounce catfish; 6-pound, 8-ounce rainbow trout: 11-pound northern pike, and 4-pound. 5-ounce large-mouth bass. Bag limits of white bass were frequent.
Sharing piscatorial honors with Maloney lake as "one of the best fishing waters in the state last year" was huge McConaughy reservoir. Without a doubt, McConaughy produced the finest white bass fishing ever recorded in the state.
In mid-June, Conservation Officer Loron Bunney said "the white bass angling was the best fishing in McConaughy since 1946 when crappie abounded." Bunney estimated that 90 per cent of the fishermen at McConaughy took bag limits of white bass at that time. "Two white bass on one line were very common," he reported. Bunney also saw one fisherman with three hooks who landed an equal number of bass at the same time.
McConaughy's good fishing wasn't limited to white bass. There were also reports of fine walleye and northern pike fishing. O. D. Moon of Sterling, Colo., can verify the productiveness of the fishing for northerns. Moon tied the state record with a 25-pounder hauled from McConaughy waters.
Johnson lake produced "hankers," a 19 ¥2-pound northern and a 10-pound, 12-ounce walleye. At certain times during the '51 season, crappie fishing at Box Butte reservoir was described as "excellent" as was the bullhead angling at Walgren lake, both in northwestern Nebraska.
With the opening of Medicine Creek reservoir and the three state-owned lakes—Smith, Atkinson and Hull—and with the cooperation of the weatherman, Nebraskans can again look forward to comparable outstanding fishing in 1952.
Following are a few of the big catches —by species—reported to the Game Commission office during 1951:
RAINBOW TROUT—10-pound,
3-ouncer by Earl Hames of Oshkosh
WALLEYES—11-pound, 5-ouncer by John Stensvaad of North Platte (Maloney); 11-pound, 1-ouncer by General Miltonberger of North Platte (Maloney); 10-pound, 12-ouncer by Fred Rutt of McCook (Johnson); 10-pound, 5-ouncer by H. C. Stancliff of North Platte (Maloney); 9-pound, 14-ouncer by Harry Bragg of North Platte (Maloney); 9-pounder by Mrs. J. C. Schneider of North Platte (Maloney); 7-pound, 12-ouncer by Bud Taylor of North Platte (Maloney inlet).
NORTHERN PIKE—25-pounded by O. D. Moon of Sterling, Colo., (McConaughy); 19-pound, 8-ouncer by Benny Ostrand of Mason City (Johnson); 11-pounder by A. W. Anderson of North Platte (Maloney); 32-pounder by Byron Reeding of Kansas (Johnson).
LARGEMOUTH BASS—7-pound, 3-ouncer by Mrs. Launa Nelson of Valentine; 6-pound, 12-ouncer by Melvin Pursley of Benkelman; 6-pound, 5-ouncer by W. W. Culwell of North Platte (Maloney); 6-pound, 4-ouncer by Dale Finch of Fremont (Fremont lake No. 5); 4-pound, 8-ouncer by Bill Huigens of North Platte (Maloney); 4-pound, 5-ouncer by Leo Cooper of North Platte (Maloney).
CR APPIE — Four 2 % -pounders by Bill Scheer of Cedar Bluffs (Fremont); 2-pounder by Jerry States of North Platte (Maloney).
CATFISH — 20-pound, 8-ouncer by W. E. Harvey of Superior; 20-pound, 4-ouncer by Mrs. W. L. Nicholson of Palisade (Palisade sand pits); 19-pound, 8-ouncer by Mrs. Leonard Lawyer of North Platte (Maloney); 18-pound, 8-ouncer by Bud Duger of Superior; 16-pounder by Fred Ward of Ogallala (McConaughy); 16-pound, 8-ouncer by Fred Rogers of North Platte (Maloney); 15-pound, 14-ouncer by Eddie Rosencutter of North Platte (Maloney); 12-pounder by William Manley of Omaha.
CARP—15-pounder by Bill McGowin of North Platte (Maloney); 14-pound, 8-ouncer by Donald Bozarth of Fremont; 10-pounder by Joseph F. Jirovec of Schuyler (Schuyler lakes).
IN past issues of OUTDOOR NEBRASKA, we have told you what makes "cover," what cover is needed by the various types of game, and what the Commission is doing to establish this cover.
With this issue, we are inaugurating a series of articles designed to put many more habitat areas on the farms of Nebraska with the help of you—the farmer and the sportsman. We plan to give you a step-by-step procedure whereby each farmer or sportsmen's group may set up a wildlife area on any farm with a minimum of expense and labor.
The problems of wildlife are many. Wildlife wages a constant battle for survival. Its friends are few—its enemies countless. In addition to the usual list of enemies such as crows, coyotes and other animals, our game also has the weather, the plow, livestock and fire to combat.
Man is strictly a fairweather friend to our game. Our favors are done for wildlife in expectation of later harvesting that same wildlife.
The more we can do for game, the more we can expect game to do for us in increasing our pleasures in the field.
There are many ways we can repay our debt to wildlife. We all know what these might be. Most of them only require our being gentlemen and sportsmen. That part is easy and requires no effort on behalf of most of us. The other task, however, is more difficult, that being to provide our game with a means of combating natural enemies. This may best be done by providing them ample cover.
The worst enemy of both pheasants and quail is winter. Perhaps this should be broken down even more finely and say their worst enemy is the blizzard. Mother Nature, in looking after her many progeny, established a balance of everything—sufficient birds to control insects; sufficient predators to control birds, and yet, sufficient cover to protect everything from extinction. Insects could hide in the grass and be safe until they became too numerous to hide or until they destroyed their cover. In the case of our game birds, it has been man who has held down their populations, partially by harvesting them, but largely by destroying their habitat. The plow, livestock and fire have annually taken huge tolls of game by destroying the habitat.
It is not suggested that these implements be placed secondary to wildlife. They are, of course, the backbone of the nation. However, it is still possible to have both agriculture and game habitat.
The Nebraska Game Commission has been replacing cover on farms for the last five years, but we realize that it is too big a job for us alone. Nebraska contains thousands of farms and we cannot possibly reach all of them so we are calling upon the farmers and the sportsmen's clubs to help us.
We hope the farmers and sportsmen will respond to the call of that game which is suffering from a "housing shortage" and construct an "apartment" or habitat area on some farm.
The procedure for establishing such a facility is comparatively simple. The next few issues of OUTDOOR NEBRASKA will each carry step-by-step procedures in setting up a habitat area.
The first of these will appear in the Summer issue and will deal primarily with site selection as determined by best land use and game management. The Fall issue will discuss ground preparation and area fencing. This will be followed by discussions on planting stock and pattens in the Winter issue. One year from now, we will explain in detail planting procedures and maintenance.
At the same time, we will be paralleling these potential habitat areas with one of our own. We will select a typical undeveloped area to be planted next year and will develop it, keeping you posted on its progress by means of pictures and articles appearing in subsequent issues.
We would like to see Nebraska's farmers and sportsmen's club sponsor "home for wildlife" projects on farms throughout the state.
The Game Commission will furnish planting stock without charge, such as rosa multiflora, Russian olive, red cedar, honeysuckle, American plum and Nanking cherry for these areas if the proposed area meets the few simple requirements which will be outlined in the Summer issue of OUTDOOR NEBRASKA. This planting stock will vary somewhat with the locality in the state in which it is to be planted.
The benefits to wildlife comprise but
a small portion of the benefits derived
from such an area. The farm and the
farmer are also beneficiaries. A planting such as this with its cedar trees and
flowering shrubs will hide what was
often an unsightly part of the farm.
The perching bird population will be
greatly increased, accelerating insect
and weed control. If planted on an area
where erosion was becoming a menace,
it acts as an agency of erosion control.
This is also true where planted around
a farm pond. By the elimination of livestock from the area and the erosion
control features at the planting, silting
of ponds is greatly reduced and the
possibility of fish production increased.
When located adjacent to pasture land,
it serves as an auxiliary livestock windbreak.
Rosa multiflora plantings will
furnish living fences which will effectively control livestock with no maintenance.
This new program is experimental. Its success depends entirely upon the participation of the farmer and sportsmen of the state. If this trial run is successful, the Game Commission will continue and expand the project. In a small way, this program is now in effect. For the last several years, a few farmers and sportsmen's clubs have participated. In most instances, these trial runs have been successful. In the case of sportsmen's clubs, a word of caution is inserted. Start cautiously with one, or at the most, two such areas for your project. Select only farms where the farmer really wants this area and will maintain it. Many trees planted mean nothing if they die and die they will if they are not cared for.
Interested farmers and sportsmen's clubs are urged to give the project some thought. Those who feel that such a project could be undertaken are invited to contact the Department in order that the Game Commission may have an estimate of the future need of planting stock and time. Address correspondence to "Homes for Wildlife," Nebraska Game Commission, State House, Lincoln.
NATIONAL recognition was bestowed on OUTDOOR NEBRASKA'S wildlife artist C. G. "Bud" Pritchard when he received word his drawing of two blue geese in flight placed second in the national 1952-53 duck stamp contest. Bud's drawing was rated but a point under the winning entry submitted by John D. Dick of Meggett, S.C.
The winning design will appear on the 1952-53 duck stamp, costing $2 each which must be purchased by hunters of migratory waterfowl.
Bud's drawings appear regularly in OUTDOOR NEBRASKA as well as on the various regulations and other publications of the Game Commission. Bud also acts as exhibitor for the department and participates in numerous programs throughout the state.
Bud began working for the Game Commission in November, 1948. He received his training by correspondence, taking a two-year commercial arts course. Many of his drawings and paintings have been displayed in other states, such as the Rochester Museum in New York and the Davenport Museum in Iowa. His work has also appeared at Joslyn Memorial in Omaha.
ONE of Nebraska's newest but most popular conservation officers is Richard A. "Dick" Wolkow who "holds down the fort" at Omaha, presiding over the Burt, Douglas and Washington-county district. Warden Wolkow, packing a pleasing personality on his well-built, 6-foot, 205-pound frame, wasted little time in capturing the fancy of eastern Nebraska sportsmen, winning their confidence, respect and cooperation almost simultaneously with his appointment to the densely populated district.
Officer Wolkow joined the Game Commission staff on June 1, 1950, carrying with him a wealth of experience which was to quicken his development into the outstanding warden he is today. Born at Grand Rapids, Mich., Wolkow attended schools in that state, being active in athletics and student government. He majored in agricultural studies.
Wolkow was an outstanding student and in 1932 was selected State Champion Smith-Hughes agricultural student for his fine work in dairy and animal husbandry. He represented Michigan in both the American Royal Livestock Exposition at Kansas City, Mo., and the International Dairy Congress at Waterloo, la.
Upon graduation from high school, Wolkow was employed by a refrigerator company, doing industrial police work. He performed similar duties for a car manufacturer. During this time, Wolkow showed tremendous interest in conservation and wildlife. This interest resulted in his appointment as a special deputy to work with Michigan conservation officers.
Wolkow moved to Nebraska in 1943, living at Ashland until his appointment as a conservation officer with the Nebraska Game Commission.
Though his tenure with the department is brief compared to that of his colleagues, Wolkow has already had his share of unusual experiences. On the night before the deer hunt started in 1950, officer Wolkow, accompanied by another officer, was on patrol in the pine ridge when they spotted two abandoned cars parked in the timber.
The officers waited until a group of men returned to the cars. Wolkow turned the spotlight on the group—there were 11 men in all. The men had been coon hunting. One of the group, however, was a non-resident who was hunting coon without a permit. Because of the late hour, it was customary to have the men in court on the following day.
The non-resident wanted to return to his native state yet that night. Officer Wolkow, anxious to help as much as possible, telephoned the county judge who courteously consented to holding court that night. The court was held—the defendant pleaded his case, paid his fine and started on his way home. Incidentally, the case,was tried at 10:30 p.m., and—on a Sunday night. Officer Wolkow was married in 1936. He has two sons, both of whom are following in his footsteps—being interested and active in conservation and scouting.
these underwater exhausts or silencing devices so mat the motor would make more noise and racket. To our knowledge, all outboard motors are equipped with such devices.)
(The Commission has discontinued supplying fish for contests.)
GRAND ISLAND—On what animals are bounties paid in Nebraska?
(Quoting from the Revised Statutes of Nebraska: "Any person killing wolves, wildcats, foxes or coyotes and presenting the green scalps of the same, with the two ears and face down to the nose, to the county clerk of the county in which the same were killed, with satisfactory proof in writing, upon oath, thai the same were taken and killed within the county in which the bounty is claimed, shall be entitled to two dollars and fifty cents for every wolf, fox, coyote or wildcat so killed. Certificates of such bounties, when so allowed, shall be issued by the county clerk to the person entitled thereto, and upon the presentation of such certificates to the county treasurer, said treasurer shall pay to the holder of such certificates the amount named therein out of the county general fund.")
WELLMAN, IOWA —Can a non-resident trap in Nebraska?
(Non-residents are permitted to trap in this state. Non-residents taking one thousand or less fur-bearing animals shall pay a permit fee in the amount of one hundred dollars and five dollars additional for each additional one hundred or part of one hundred fur-bearing animals.;
NORFOLK —I have a friend who wishes to buy some raw beaver skins to have a coat made for his wife. Does he have to have a fur buyer's permit to do so?
(Anyone who buys or sells or deals in raw furs in the state of Nebraska must have a fur buyer's permit.)
If you have any questions pertaining to hunting, fishing or recreation in this state, send them to the MAIL BAG,
EARTHWORM culture is not difficult, provided one exercises diligence in three fundamentals. These are, the use of good soil in which to keep the worms, judicious watering and proper feeding.
Worms are bisexual or hermaphroditic, meaning each worm possesses both male and female organs. Each one deposits capsules from which three to six baby worms will hatch. The number of young will depend upon the age of the worm depositing the capsule. The older the breeder, the more young are hatched per capsule and the more capsules deposited. The eggs hatch in about 20 to 30 days and the baby worms mature in about four months after hatching, depending upon soil and food available.
Worms do most of their feeding at night and begin to mate about three months after birth and they are very prolific. A breeder worm will live several years if lucky enough to keep out of the hands of some ambitious fisherman.
They are very sensitive to extreme temperature, hot or cold. They breathe through their skin, have no eyes, but can tell the difference between daylight and dark.
To be successful in raising nightcrawlers, they must be kept in a cool damp place for best results. A cellar, cave or basement is a good place, or pick a good shady place where the sun seldom hits and bury your worm box in the ground, leaving about six inches protruding above the ground level. This will keep excess water from running in after a rain.
You can use a wooden tub, also a 50-gallon barrel sawed in two. I make a good stout box out of tongue and groove lumber, four by six feet and four feet in depth which will hold a lot of worms. Bore inch holes over the entire bottom, spaced about six inches apart for drainage and ventilation. Get from your hardware store wire screen and tack over the entire bottom, starting in the middle to prevent buckling. Also cover all knotholes or knots in your box. One little hole and all your worms will go home.
The filler for the worm bed must be kept moist and free from packing down. A good mixture is equal parts of rich black dirt, leaf mold from the woods and old black sawdust. Peat moss may be used instead of leaf mold if available. Mix thoroughly and add a small amount of corn meal to the bed filler, about three-fourths pound to each cubic yard of filler. Mix again thoroughly.
Have the pit for your worm box plenty big enough and fill the bottom of the pit with six to eight inches of fine gravel for drainage, then set the box in on top of the gravel and fill around sides.
Fill the worm box to within eight inches of the top with the above mixture. Then place your worms in the box. Be sure they are alive and discard all that have been hurt or don't look lively. Dampen some burlap bags and lay on top of your bed filler. Cut grassy sod and place on top of the burlap bags. Your wormery is now ready.
Watering is very important. Keep the soil moist at all times, but never soggy. Change sod once in a while. Add more filler as it settles down. Keep an inventory of worms put in and taken out so that you will always know how many are in the box. I keep a pad on one end and mark the number taken out or put in.
Fix a tight frame and cover with wire screen to keep worms in and rats and thousand-leggers or centipedes out. Add more feed as needed. Run your hand down in the box and lift out a handful of soil. If there is no feed present, it is time to feed. It will be necessary to remove the burlap and sod and replace after each feeding.
I mix five pounds of regular rabbit pellets, one pound soya bean meal and one pound sugar. Put the pellets, meal and sugar in a tub and add water to soak them up to a soft crumbly mass. Never soggy wet. Karo syrup may be substituted for the sugar. This will keep them healthy, fat and full of wiggle. Then the poor fish just can't resist them.
FOLLOWING are the characteristics of a fish found in Nebraska. How many of these descriptive and informative sentences must you read before you can bring the picture into focus. The name and picture of the fish can be found on page 26.
1. This fish is caught on both natural and artificial baits. It is usually inactive during midday and feeds primarily during early morning and evening.
2. It isn't a particularly large fish, though some of the species have been taken which exceed 30 pounds in weight.
3. This fish prefers insects and flies but augments its diet as it grows with worms, minnows, crawfish and snails.
4. In older fish, the under jaw has a tendency to become extended and overshoots the upper jaw.
5. This fish has sharp teeth in an alternating zig-zag row.
6. In addition to this particular species, there are two other species of this fish family inhabiting Nebraska waters.
7. This species can live in warmer waters than the other two members of the family.
8. Though there has been some evidence of spawning, there has been very little reproduction in Nebraska waters, making it necessary to depend primarily on artificial propagation of this species in Game Commission hatcheries.
9. This species is the most expensive fish raised in the state. A recent figure reached 34 V2 cents per fish hatched and raised for one year before release in Nebraska waters.
10. The color of this fish varies somewhat with locality. The dark brown on the upper part of its body blends into a lighter brown on the sides. It is heavily marked on the back with black or brown spots, and red, black or brown spots on the sides.
11. It is also referred to as brownie, English brown, Loch Leven and Von Behr.
THE most effective bait to use in fishing for catfish is a perennial subject for argument among fishermen. In an attempt to obtain an answer to this age-old question, the author collected information pertaining to the use and effectiveness of various catfish baits while engaged in a creel census study for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on the Republican River in Nebraska and Kansas during the summer of 1951. Although the following information will not necessarily decide any of the fireside arguments relating to the subject—in fact, it is more apt to arouse further argument—it is hoped that the information contained herein will help fishermen in their endless efforts to outsmart "old whiskers."
About 3,300 fishermen were interviewed during the course of the study, and they used 26 different kinds of baits. Of these baits, it would appear that crayfish or blood were the best for channel catfish, and minnows were the best for flathead (yellow) catfish. Prepared stink baits, although widely advertised and greatly prized by some fishermen, apparently were not held in the same high esteem by the catfish.
All of the 26 baits are listed in the accompanying table, showing the number of times each bait was used, how many fish were caught on it, and its effectiveness rating. The effectiveness rating was computed by dividing the number of fish caught by the number of times the bait was used. For instance, if a bait were used 100 times and caught 50 fish, it would have an effectiveness rating of 0.50. Therefore, the higher the effectiveness rating the better the bait.
A glance at the table will show that the baits were divided into three major classes. This was done to show the different effectiveness ratings of each class of baits as well as to separate them by the way in which they were used. For instance, natural baits were generally chosen by set-line fishermen since they would not dissolve or come off the hook easily. Most of the refuse and prepared baits had to be changed frequently in order to assure the emission of sufficient odor to attract catfish. Generally speaking, refuse baits were the most effective of the three classes, while prepared baits were the least effective, even though efforts put into the preparation of some of the prepared stink baits are comparable to those of a skilled pharmacist in preparing a complicated prescription.
Catfish will feed on practically anything, as is indicated by their large mouths and stomachs, their strong jaws armed with fine teeth, and their healthy appetites. To aid them in their quest for food, they have very sensitive smelling organs, their barbels (or whiskers). With these they can find food which their poor vision would not disclose in muddy water. However, this keen sense of smell may in part be responsible for the rather low effectiveness rating of stink baits—that is, if they are as offensive to the fish as they were to the author!
It should be pointed out that the rate of catch of the Republican river fishermen was very low, so that it took a good bait along with considerable skill to entice a catfish to bite. Although crayfish had the highest effectiveness rating, blood would appear to be the best readily available bait since it had such a large amount of usage. The fact that some of the baits have a rating of zero is probably due in part to the small number of times they were used.
As stated at the outset of this discussion, the foregoing information is not meant to serve as a cure-all for the many problems involved in the selection of the best catfish bait. In fact, in other areas the wily ones might pull in their whiskers at the smell of such baits as crayfish and blood. However, it is hoped that this information will serve as a basis for further experimentation by fishermen in their search for the irresistible catfish bait.
Usage and effectiveness of catfish baits used on the Republican River, Nebraska and Kansas, 1951
THE illustrations at right and left represent six species of wildlife which inhabit Nebraska. Below are two characteristics for each species illustrated above. Match the characteristics with the illustrations. Answers below at left. Credit yourself with one point for each correct matching of characteristic and illustration. A score of 12 is excellent, 10 is good, 8 is fair and 7 or below is poor.
Nebraska rated both high and low in a compilation of hunting license sales in the 48 states during the period July 1, 1950 to June 30, 1951. According to a tabulation prepared by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the 200,262 resident hunting licenses sold in this state gave Nebraska a rating of 25th among the 48 states. Michigan and Pennsylvania were the leaders with 1,037,633 and 827,949 licenses respectively.
1. This species, buffy or grayish in color during summer, becomes paler in winter. In the far north, this species turns white during winter. ( )
2. Largest rodent in the world except for the capybara of South America. ( )
3. While running, this animal can cover the ground in leaps of as much as 21 feet. ( )
4. Usually inhabits a burrow completely encircled by a ridge of earth. ( )
5. This species discharges a sharp, irritating substance. Some people find it more offensive than that of a skunk. ( )
6. Capable of catching fish in the water. ( )
7. Often referred to as most blood thirsty of all mammals. Its favorite drink is warm blood sucked from the base of the skull or neck of its prey. ( )
8. The only mammal that has wings. ( )
9. Known for their cities of underground dwellings. ( )
10. Its food consists of mice, shrews, cottontails, rats, squirrels, moles, young birds, small snakes, frogs, lizards and many insects. Its pelt is not considered valuable. ( )
11. This animal re-waterproofs itself after coming out of water by wiping and combing claws on each cf the two inner toes of its hind feet. ( )
12. Not completely blind as often accused. ( )
The sale of 3,033 non-resident hunting permits in Nebraska earned a rating of 19th while the combined total of resident and non-resident permit sales gave Nebraska the 25th position.
Though Nebraska rated 25th in hunting license totals, the state fell to 32nd in hunting fees.
the three. It is, however, comparatively deep and is entirely spring-fed which should result in good fishing. An earthen dam, approximately 35 feet high, was built to form the lake. A large graveled parking area was made on top of a hill overlooking the lake. Bluegill, bass, crappie and bullheads were stocked in the lake.
The recreation area at Medicine Creek reservoir and the three new lakes increases the number of such areas managed by the Nebraska Game Commission to 42. The purchase and development of such areas are made possible through receipts from the sale of fishing and hunting permits.
This is the ninth of a series of articles and drawings on Nebraska's small and big game animals, game birds, game fish and fur-bearing animals. Staff Artist C. G. Pritchard prepared the drawing on page 27. The SUMMER ISSUE of OUTDOOR NEBRASKA will feature the white bass, rapidly becoming a fishing favorite in this state.
The skunk, a member of the weasel or Mustelidae family, relies entirely on his two large glands or "smell guns" as his chief armament of defense against man and natural predators. These glands are his only means of defense since he possesses neither speed nor strength.
Generally, the skunk will not resort to the use of these glands unless disturbed or tormented. Occasionally, a skunk will approach within several feet of an individual before being detected. Once the skunk realizes possible danger, he becomes alert. He will stop and turn about. If followed, the skunk will stop and stamp his feet. If this warning goes unheeded, the skunk will raise his huge tail with only the white tip still hanging downward.
If such warning is ignored and the individual or predator approaches, up comes the white tip. This is the signal to move out of range as the skunk is about to release its potent fluid. This having happened, the skunk is again permitted its undisturbed wandering as few creatures are in condition to continue the chase.
The skunk and all other members of the weasel family are equipped with two large glands. The skunk, however, is most famous for this armament—so vile in odor that only the great horned owl and a few other predators brave this weapon. The glands are situated on each side of the anus. The ducts from these glands are usually hidden away within the rectum, but can be protruded for instant service. The musky liquid —pale yellow in color, vile in odor and highly volatile—is discharged in the form of a fine spray. This spray is ejected by muscular contraction for a distance of about 10 feet. With the help of the wind, however, the spray will travel considerably farther as it drifts with the wind.
The number of times a skunk can discharge the fluid varies somewhat with its size and the time elapsed since last dispersed. The glands normally contain sufficient fluid for five or six discharges before a refill is needed which necessitates about a week's time. The liquid is so powerful that a small amount can contaminate everything for several feet in all directions. Though it is highly acid in its reaction, however, it can not cause permanent blindness after contact with the eyes of an individual or predator. It can and does cause temporary blindness, choking and nausea.
Skunks inhabit burrows, abandoned dens and hollow tree stumps. They will also frequently live under abandoned buildings and occasionally under inhabited buildings. Many farmers welcome skunks in or near their barns as an efficient control of rats and mice. However, housewives raising chickens react differently as skunks occasionally raid the chicken yard, destroying eggs and killing small chickens.
The average litter of a skunk is four to six "kittens," usually between mid-April and mid-June. The young remain near the den until mid-summer when they begin following the mother on her nightly jaunts. The mother and her offspring present a pleasant sight as the "kittens" follow in single file at spaced intervals.
Skunks do most of their hunting after dusk. However, they are not strictly nocturnal and occasionally are seen during the daylight hours. Skunks eat almost anything, though most fond of rats, mice and insects. They also eat eggs, fruits, crayfish and frogs.
Skunks are squat, compact and heavily built animals. They are easily distinguished from all other animals because of their unique shiny black coats with distinctive white strips. The skunk has a long, bushy tail; relatively small head, and short legs. The forefeet of a skunk are equipped with long claws for digging.
Nebraska is inhabited by both the striped skunk and the little spotted skunk or civet, the former being the most abundant. The striped skunk is black with a white stripe on each side of its body from its ears to its tail. The spotted skunk is smaller in size and spotted black and white—more black than white.
Though the fur of skunks is beautiful, its importance has suffered because of the whims of fashion and the present demand for short-haired furs. Skunk fur is among the most durable type of furs presently utilized in fur garments.
During 1951, the calculated take of skunk in Nebraska was three times as great as that of the previous year. From information contained on cards submitted by Nebraska trappers, it was learned that the average take of skunk per trapper was 10.02 during the 1950-51 season.
Skunks may be taken at any time of the year in Nebraska under the authority of the trapping permit. The trapping season on skunk is year-around with no bag limits.